wasi Posted December 13, 2003 Share Posted December 13, 2003 As i first saw the Churchill AVRE i thought it was another support tank providing HE fire against soft targets. Then i noticed that it uses this special kind of ammunition ("hohlladung" in german) that is used to penetrate armour. However the low muzzle velocity would make hitting a target moving faster than a handicapped turtle rather difficult. Was it originally designed to fight the german westwall bunkers during the invasion? I know some amphibious tanks were used, but as i can remember they didn't do well. Was the AVRE such a vehicle, or had it another purpose? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CKibler Posted December 13, 2003 Share Posted December 13, 2003 According to the Advanced Squad Leader notes for the Churchill AVRE it was indeed intended for "bunker busting". To wit, "The Dieppe raid in 1942 emphasized the sappers' need for some kind of armored vehicle to assist with the demolition of obstacles while under fire. the Chruchill was chosen for this because of its roomy interior and the large hatches on the sides of the hull. In this role it was designated the Armoured Vehicle, Royal Engineer -- or AVRE. Churchill III and IV were used for the conversion, with applique armor added to increase their survivability." ...and so on. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Dorosh Posted December 13, 2003 Share Posted December 13, 2003 Yep; at Dieppe, most of the Royal Canadian Engineers tasked with breaching the gates and obstacles to allow the tanks to egress the beach were killed before getting forward. They went in on foot, with at least one 1/4 ton truck ("jeep" or "blitzbuggy") being photographed on the beach after the raid (it didn't get far). On the other hand, not a single tank crewman was killed while inside his vehicle at Dieppe. Hence, you can see why the decision was made to use "funny" armour at Normandy, of which the AVRE was one. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breakthrough Posted December 13, 2003 Share Posted December 13, 2003 You will notice in the game that main gun rounds from the AVRE looked like thyre being 'lobbed' at the target. Thats not farfetched. The Petard mortar lobbed a very large HE round at short ranges powerful enough to dmage a concret and steel pillbox. So could it kill a tank? Yes, even the biggest ones. But it would have to have happened in very restricted terrain I would think... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted Posted December 13, 2003 Share Posted December 13, 2003 The AVRE is back in eh? (I’m waiting for CMAK to arrive) The AVRE was discussed in length back in the CMBO days. Do a search for it and you’ll find threads discussing, tactics, history, the armor and armament and some very good pictures. One interesting note was a crew member had to pop up and reload the Petard Mortar externally. Hazardous duty that. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flamingknives Posted December 13, 2003 Share Posted December 13, 2003 Originally posted by Ted: The AVRE is back in eh? (I’m waiting for CMAK to arrive) The AVRE was discussed in length back in the CMBO days. Do a search for it and you’ll find threads discussing, tactics, history, the armor and armament and some very good pictures. One interesting note was a crew member had to pop up and reload the Petard Mortar externally. Hazardous duty that. Not true. The petard mortar can be loaded from a hatch above the assistant driver. Not entirely under armour, but hardly out int the open. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeyD Posted December 15, 2003 Share Posted December 15, 2003 The nice thing about the Churchill ARVE in the game is you don't have to maneuver in for firing slit penetrations. That big 'flying dustbin' shaped charged (40 pounds?) round will take out a pillbox from any side, any angle... as long as you can hit the pillbox with that funky high trajectory! Great fun to play with. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabidbvr Posted December 16, 2003 Share Posted December 16, 2003 A beast on the Field of combat.... but what a beast... have driven one myself all i can say is GREAT..... take a look at this site http://www.d-daytanks.org.uk/tanks/churchill-avre.html enjoy "make it idiot proof and someone will make a better idiot..." 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flamingknives Posted December 16, 2003 Share Posted December 16, 2003 Say what? Have you driven an ordinary Churchil to compare? :eek: 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabidbvr Posted December 18, 2003 Share Posted December 18, 2003 ref to drive... have driven the AVRE and an M4... the AVRE only went about twice its length then cut out a beast to drive a little cramped for its size... will post the photo when i get round to it take care all "If it aint broke fix it till it is..." 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denwad Posted December 18, 2003 Share Posted December 18, 2003 Although the AVRE is fun to play with, the Sturmtiger in CMBB is even funner to play around with. If a tank can rout an entire Company of Soviet Marines without a single casualty, you know it's not supposed to be in game 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadow 1st Hussars Posted December 18, 2003 Share Posted December 18, 2003 If you can't cause a casualty with a Strumtiger, you shouldn't be playing the game. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denwad Posted December 18, 2003 Share Posted December 18, 2003 I meant not a single crew casualty. The tank caused ~600 casualties in 3 shots. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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